Ultimate Guide to a China Tibet Nepal Tour: 10 Essential Things to Know When Planning

A China Tibet Nepal tour could be an epic adventure through the vast lands of Asia. As you travel across both sides of the Himalayas, you will be immersed in the mysterious oriental culture and sacred Buddhist culture.

The long journey across China and Nepal needs careful arrangements, from necessary travel documents to detailed itinerary plans in each destination.

Here, we share the 10 best things to know to help you plan a seamless travel among China Tibet and Nepal.

Where are China (including the TAR) and Nepal Located?

Stretching from East Asia, China is the third-largest country in the world. With the Tibet Autonomous Region (the TAR) on the southwest edge, China and Nepal are separated by the Himalayas.

Located on the southern side of the Himalayas, Nepal is a landlocked country nestled between China and India.

So, a China Tibet Nepal tour is truly a journey across the Himalayas, offering different landscapes and cultural experiences on either side of the world’s highest mountain range.

China and Nepal located map.

What to Expect on a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

A China Tibet Nepal tour offers a remarkable blend of culture experience, religious heritages, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

China offers some of the most splendid and unique culture with over 5,000 years of history. While traveling westward into the Tibetan Plateau, you will experience a different and unique Tibetan way of life. In Nepal, everything changes into another exotic culture experience. For culture lovers, this is a journey full of interests and surprises.

Religion is at the heart of a China Tibet Nepal Tour, especially during your days in Tibet and Nepal. In the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Tibetan Buddhism plays an important role of locals’ daily life. You will meet some of the most devoted pilgrims in the world, doing prostrating in front of the holy Jokhang Temple, or kora around Mount Kailash. And in Nepal, you can experience another spiritual dimension which is strongly influenced by the Hindu.

The breathtaking natural landscapes also attracts thousands of tourists coming into this route. As the popular journey across the Himalayas, a China Tibet Nepal tour brings you traveling across the world’s highest mountain range, witness Mount Everest, travel across the Roof of the World, and explore types of geography in the third-larges country in the world. Snow capped mountains, lush forests, deep valleys, great rivers... you can explore some of the most amazing landscapes along the journey.

A journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet offers a spiritual journey through the stunning and remote landscapes of western Tibet.

Join our popular China Tibet Nepal tour from Beijing to explore all the best along the way across the Himalayas.

When is the Best Time for a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to early November) are the best seasons to visit China, Tibet, and Nepal together, especially if your main goal is to visit Mount Everest.

In spring, the weather is warm with less rainfall, which is ideal for clear views of Mount Everest in both Nepal and Tibet. As the winter passes by, the months from April to May are also pleasant to visit most areas in the mainland of China.

Visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet during spring, one of the best seasons for clear summit views.

In autumn, the air is crisp and dry, offering excellent visibility for both city sightseeing and mountain views. You can enjoy comfortable travel conditions across all three regions from September to early November.

The summer months, from late June to August, are not ideal for Everest Base Camp tours. Due to the monsoon season, the rainfall brings clouds and fog in mountain areas, so you may not get a clear view of Mount Everest. This is also the rainy season in Nepal, which brings a humid climate and the hottest temperature of the year, making it unpleasant for outdoor sightseeing.

Winter, as the dry season in Nepal, is the best time for a visit, but the low tourist season in the mainland of China and the Tibetan Autonomous Regions. The dry weather brings clear views of the mountain ranges, making it another ideal time to visit Mount Everest as well as the Himalayan regions. And the low tourist seasons offers great discounts for winter tours in Tibet and the mainland of China. So, if you are looking for a budget travel to China Tibet and Nepal, winter is a good time to go.

Starting your China Tibet Nepal tour in winter can save money

How to Travel Between China (including the TAR) and Nepal?

The Tibet Nepal overland journey is an epic land travel across the Himalayas. Every year, thousands of tourists choose to travel between Tibet and Nepal by land across the Gyirong border.

And there are both flights and trains to Tibet from the mainland of China, offering convenient transfer from many major cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Chongqing.

The train to Tibet, along the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Railway, is the unique way to travel to Tibet. Starting from Xining, the world’s highest railway stretchering all the way to Lhasa, the holy city of the roof of the world. You will travel across the inhabited Kekexili area, the vast oriental land of three rivers and the endless northern Tibetan grassland.

There are also overland routes connecting the mainland of China and Tibet, including the famous Sichuan-Tibet highway route, which praised as the most beautiful overland journey to Tibet.

From the mainland of China to Nepal, fights from Chengdu, Chongqing, and Beijing are the most convenient.

The beautiful scenery along the Qinghai-Xizang Railway.

Discover nearly 20 World Heritage sites in five destiantions with the legendary Tibet train journey.

How Many Days are Enough for a China Tibet Tour?

Planning a tour of China, Tibet, and Nepal requires an itinerary that will ensure that you get to spend enough time in each place to be able to explore it properly without rushing around. In general, you need to reserve 10 days or more for your China Tibet Nepal tour.

The 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour is the most popular itinerary for traveling from Tibet to Nepal via the Gyirong Port, including stopping to see the stunning Mount Everest. It allows you to spend enough time in Lhasa to see the stunning sites of the Jokhang Temple, the Potala Palace, and the various monasteries and other sights of the city.

Then, you get to travel overland to Shigatse, the second city of Tibet, visiting monasteries and temples and viewing the snow-capped mountains, before heading to Everest Base Camp and then finally to the Nepal border.

Most people like to spend at least 2-3 days experiencing the delights of Kathmandu, the center of Nepali culture and what is often known as “Nepal proper”. Within the valley itself are dozens of amazing sights to see, and temples to visit, and once you are done, you can continue on to travel further in Nepal or move on to your next destination.

Spend 2 to 3 days experiencing the unique delights of Kathmandu.

The mainland of China is a massive country with more things to see than you could ever fit into one tour, unless your tour will be for the whole year. Time spent here should, however, include the most spectacular of the Chinese sites, such as Beijing’s Forbidden Palace, the Terracotta Army of Xi’an, or the Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu. On average, 5-6 days should be enough to incorporate 2-3 cities of China to satisfy your desires to experience Chinese culture first-hand.

Visiting the Forbidden City is a must for most tourists in Beijing.

A 12-day China Tibet Nepal tour from Beijing is one of the most popular routes across these regions. Starting from Beijing, the capital of China, you can gain an in-depth understanding of China’s most representative culture and experience its rich history. Then, you will head to Xining for the legendary Tibet train journey along the world’s highest Qinghai-Tibet Railway. Upon arrival in Lhasa, the epic overland journey from Lhasa to Kathmandu awaits. You will fully explore the highlights along the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu. En route, you will visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet for a close view of the world’s highest peak.

Based on this itinerary, you can extend your trip by adding more destinations in China and Nepal, or shorten the journey by flying into or out of Tibet.

Experience the best of China, Tibet, and Nepal in just 12 days!

How Much Does a China Tibet Nepal Tour Cost?

A China Tibet Nepal tour is a long journey and the total tour price is influenced by many factors, such as the number of days, destinations to visit, and your hotel qualities.

Generally speaking, the budget of your China Tibet Nepal tour is approximately USD 150 to 200 per day for 3-star accommodations.

Since you can travel independently in Nepal and the mainland of China, you have more options for managing your travel expenses. You can choose to stay in budget hotels or guesthouses and use public transportation to cut down the tour price.

However, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, as you need to book your Tibet tour through a local travel agency, the tour price of a Tibet tour is relatively fixed.

If you want to save more money, it’s recommended to avoid peak season. Summer vacation, from July to August, is the peak tourist season in China, and hotels and flights and prices are typically the highest of the year, significantly increasing your tour costs.

On the other hand, winter is the off-season, especially in Tibet. The flight to Tibet and hotel prices are the lowest of the year, which can reduce the total cost of your China Tibet Nepal tour. Nepal in winter enjoys a dry climate with temperatures ranging from 7℃ to 20℃, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.

If you need any help budget your trip to China Tibet and Nepal, feel free to contact us. Our local travel experts will help you create the best itinerary according to your budget.

Enjoy your journey to the Everest with Tibet Vista.

What Travel Documents are Required for a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

For entry into China and to travel around the country, you only need the Chinese Entry Visa. This can only be obtained through the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, as there is no E-visa or Visa On Arrival service for Chinese visas.

Thanks for the latest visa-free policy, over 50 countries’ tourists now can travel to China without a visa up to 30 days. For those who are eligible to travel China without a visa, it is easy to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with passports only.

The Tibet Travel Permit is a must entering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Once you book your tour in Tibet with a local travel agency, you need to provide copies of your Chinese Visa and passport to the agency for the permit application. And if you enjoy a visa-free stay in China, you can simply apply for the Tibet Travel Permit with your passport only.

For visiting Nepal, it is convenient to apply for the visa on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu or at any of the available border crossing checkpoints around the country. Applications for the Visa On Arrival service require your original passport, and two passport-sized photos, as well as the completed application form and US$ 30 fee. Processing normally only takes around an hour, and you can soon be on your way.

Necessary Travel Documents for China Tibet Nepal Tour

Where to Stay on a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

Big cities in the mainland of China offer different types of hotels, from the deluxe 5-star modern hotels to budget guesthouses or hotels.

In the Tibetan Autonomous Region, you can find the best accommodations in Lhasa from 5-star luxury hotels to economic 3-star hotels. As you go further beyond Lhasa, the places to stay become more basic. For example, in the tent hotels at Everest Base Camp or guesthouses along the Kailash kora route, the accommodation conditions are quite basic.

The sparkling clean St. Regis Lhasa Resort guest room.

In Nepal, Kathmandu and Pokhara have the widest choice of hotels to choose from. There are also some heritage-style boutique stays offering unique travel experiences. If you are going to trek in Nepal, the tea houses or mountain lodges only provide simple rooms.

You can choose the appropriate accommodation according to your preferences and budget for your China Tibet Nepal tour.

Follow the most popular route to explore China Tibet and Nepal from Beijing.

What to Eat During a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

In the mainland of China, each province, or even each city, has its unique specialties, allowing you to choose from a variety of Chinese dishes. Yak meat and highland barley are staples of the Tibetan Plateau, giving Tibetan cuisine its unique character. Nepalese cuisine is heavily influenced by surrounding regions, offering a variety of Indian and Tibetan cuisines.

Therefore, the unique local cuisine also adds a rich taste experience and satisfaction to your China-Nepal trip.

Western-style meals are available in most big cities. If you have special dietary needs, such as vegetarian or Muslim-friendly meals, please inform your travel consultant in advance.

Enjoy authentic Tibetan food in a local restaurant.

What to Pack for a China Tibet Nepal Tour?

Since the trip will be long, it's recommended to pack smart with a mix of comfort, warmth, and practicality will ensure you’re ready for the diverse experiences along this unique journey.

Most daily necessities can be purchased in shopping malls and supermarkets in major cities. If you're planning hiking, cycling, or other adventures in Tibet or Nepal, it's recommended to stock up on supplies in Lhasa and Kathmandu.

Clothing should be tailored to the climate. However, for Tibet, even in summer, a windproof and warm jacket is essential. The high altitudes create significant temperature swings between day and night, and the winds can be strong.

Sun protection is also crucial. You need to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially for the journey in Tibet.

In addition to essential items like clothing and documents, be aware that electrical outlets in China and Nepal are different. It's recommended to bring a universal adapter to accommodate the different socket types.

Proper sun protection and staying warm are essential when traveling to Tibet.

More Insider Tips for a China Tibet Nepal Tour

The mainland of China and Nepal are both excellent independent travel destinations, and their well-developed tourism industry makes independent travel easier. However, be sure to book your Tibet trip in advance, as you can only apply for a Tibet Travel Permit through the travel agency that arranges your trip.

There is a two-hour and forty-five-minute time difference between China and Nepal. When booking your flight, please be sure to pay attention to the local take-off and landing times to avoid delays.

China uses the RMB, while Nepal uses the US dollar or Nepali rupee. It's recommended to carry some US dollars in cash for easy exchange at the border.

Respect Local Customs. Remember to dress modestly, ask before taking photos of people or religious sites, and follow local etiquette, especially in monasteries and temples.

Follow the epic overland route from Kathmandu to China Tibet!

Conclusion

A China Tibet Nepal tour is one of the most legendary Himalayan tours. While planning your adventure to these mystical lands, it’s important to understand the travel policies, required travel documents, and how to arrange the journey.

With local offices in Lhasa, Chengdu, and Kathmandu, we at Tibet Vista, provide the most comprehensive travel guide for planning your China Tibet Nepal tour, including the best 10 necessary things to know before your journey. From the travel documents and best time to go to to practical travel tips on arranging your itinerary, we’ve got everything covered.

Starting planning your unforgettable China Tibet Nepal adventure with us now!